Put Backyard Birds on a Pedestal with this Flower Pot Bird Feeder

My family adores bird watching. We have multiple feeders around our yard so we can enjoy the watching the birds flit around the feeder and grab a snack. Sipping your morning coffee while watching the birds visit the feeders is both meditative and amusing. Even more so with this pretty pedestal flower pot bird feeder I made.

I’ve seen terracotta bird feeders on many occasions and it looked like an easy DIY to tackle. Lord knows I have enough clay pots laying around my shed. I decided to make a pedestal type feeder instead of a hanging feeder because I wanted place it among a large juniper hedge I have in my front yard. Terracotta pots can have a bit of weight to them too. The pedestal holds the feeder much better than a tree branch could and it looks pretty fantastic if I do say so myself!

Drill with masonry bit (large enough to make a hole big enough for the knob screw to pass through)

3 1/2 inch rubber washers

12 inch clay saucer (optional)

5.5 foot cedar end fence post with one end end flat and level (optional)

A Note on Supplies

I used a cedar fence post for my pedestal. You can any weather proof upright structure for the pedestal: stone, treated wood, or several terracotta pots stacked on top of each other. For the 12 inch saucer, you can use a sturdy plate or dish that’s sturdy enough to handle the elements. I already had both, so that’s what I used.

Make it!

Add a generous amount of adhesive to the base of the orchid pot. Make sure you are in a well ventilated area.

Center the orchid pot on top of one of the 8 inch saucers. Add more adhesive to the drain hole of the orchid pot so that it is filled. E-6000 will dry clear and takes at least half an hour to set. I let the glue dry for an hour before I moved the pot.

Measure and mark the center of the other 8 inch saucer. This is where the drawer knob is going to go. This will create a handle for the top of the feeder. With a drill fitted with a masonry bit, drill a hole in the marked spot. *For a small hole, the chances of cracking the terracotta is low. However, if this is your first time drilling through clay, you can soak the saucer in water overnight to reduce the chance of the saucer cracking.

Remove the knob from its packaging and place two 1/2 inch rubber washers at the base of the screw.

Pass the screw through the drilled hole in the saucer (make sure the lip of the saucer is facing down). Add the other 1/2 inch rubber washer and then the knob.

Add the lid to the feeder and this part is done. Now, let’s make the pedestal!

To insert the post into the ground will take a few special tools: post hole digger, lever and digging bar. I employed my husband for this task. I did pay him with cookies.

Dig a hole deep enough to sink the post about 6 inches.

Make sure the post is level before filling in with dirt to secure it in place.

Add the 12 inch terracotta saucer on top of the post, lip facing down making sure it’s centered. Fill the feeder with bird seed and place it on top. Ta-da!

I chose not to adhere the 12 inch saucer to the post as these unglazed pots may break over winter in cold weather. I can keep it out for most of the year where I live, but if you live where there are cold winter freezes, then choose glazed pots for your garden. The weight of the feeder keeps it secure in place so I don’t feel the need to worry about it falling over. Smaller birds like finches and chickadees (and even a cardinal) did not shift the feeder at all, but again, if your weather conditions tend to have more wind than mine, then you may want to secure it to the post permanently.

About the Author : Debbie WolfeDebbie Wolfe is a mom of two rambunctious boys, wife, and work-at-home mom from Georgia. In her free time (when there is such a thing), she is in the garden or hidden away reading the latest post-apocalyptic sci-fi drama! As interests, Debbie is an obsessive crafter, home chef, and gardener. She is a freelance writer, blogger, and is a co-author and photographer behind the garden blog, The Prudent Garden; a collection of tips, crafts, and articles that highlight home gardening.View all posts by Debbie Wolfe

My wife mentioned to me the other day that she would love to have a bird feeder in our yard. I really appreciated this post because I thought it would be cool to surprise her with one. This seems like a simple and unique way to create one. Thanks for sharing!

Hi, I’m Stephanie. Gardening healed me from a debilitating illness and so I know the power of garden therapy first hand.

Here you will find DIY garden projects and crafts that break down barriers and allow anyone to garden, no matter their ability, knowledge, or even garden size. Browse through our projects and you will surely find one that will inspire you to get out and get dirty, try a project, and fall in love with the garden!

Take a Peek Inside Garden Made:

Privacy & Cookies

This site uses cookies from Google to deliver its services, to personalize ads and to analyze traffic. Information about your use of this site is shared with Google. By using this site, you agree to its use of cookies. Learn more

My eBay Blog

Disclaimer

This website contains general information about gardening, natural beauty, crafts, DIY projects, and recipes. The information is not advice, and should not be treated as such. While we do our best to provide useful information, any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk and not a substitute for medical, legal, or any other professional advice of any kind.